City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Lafayette, LA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Lafayette - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

121,537
Residents
$61,454
Median income
$251,300
Median home
$1,019
Median rent (state)

Lafayette - the verdict

Lafayette ranks in the 37th percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

37th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
3rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Lafayette, LA

121,537 people live in Lafayette, Louisiana - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Lafayette households earn a median of $61,454 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.5%. Home values in Lafayette run a median of $251,300, and the median resident age is 37.1 years. About 40.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Lafayette's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 5413.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Lafayette's yearly average temperature at 67.8°F with 66.8 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Louisiana run below the national norm: the state registers 88.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,019 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Louisiana run around $212, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

121,537 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$61,454 /yr

Poverty 13.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Lafayette compare to other US cities?

Where Lafayette sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 37% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Louisiana alone, Lafayette ranks #52 of 60 Louisiana cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Lafayette's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Louisiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

37thIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

37th percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lafayette's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lafayette's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Lafayette's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Lafayette's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$251,300 44th percentile more affordable than 44% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Lafayette $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Lafayette, LA Lafayette, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lafayette, LA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Lafayette, LA median $61,454/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Lafayette, LA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Lafayette, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
121,537
Median Income
$61,454
Median Home Value
$251,300
Median Age
37.1
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5413.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1066.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4347.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
67.8°F
Annual Precipitation
66.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
30
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
121,000 residents122,000 residents123,000 residents124,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 121,457 residents 123,311 residents ▲ +1.5%
Lafayette's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.4%
Carpool
5.6%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
9.5%
Other
1.7%

Based on 58,451 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Louisiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Louisiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Louisiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Lafayette sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,019/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Metairie
138,995 people
Lake Charles
81,679 people
Kenner
65,113 people
Bossier City
62,832 people
Shreveport
183,483 people
Monroe
47,241 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lafayette's 121,537 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rochester, MN
121,638 people
Ann Arbor, MI
121,179 people
Independence, MO
121,944 people
College Station, TX
122,280 people
Clovis, CA
122,719 people
Arvada, CO
122,835 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lafayette's $61,454 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Irondale, GA
$61,454 median income
Rockwell, AR
$61,452 median income
Flora, IN
$61,458 median income
Old Monroe, MO
$61,458 median income
Burgoon, OH
$61,458 median income
Waterloo, OR
$61,458 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lafayette, LA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Lafayette, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 59.1% 28.6% 8.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.6% White 59.1% Black or African American 28.6% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 8.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Lafayette compares to nearby Louisiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Lafayette (this city) 121,537 $61,454
Metairie 138,995 $73,256
Lake Charles 81,679 $56,864
Kenner 65,113 $64,099
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lafayette, LA?

What is the population of Lafayette, LA? +

Lafayette, LA has a population of 121,537 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lafayette, LA? +

Lafayette households earn a median of $61,454 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lafayette? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lafayette; the closest available measure is the Louisiana state average, a cost of living index of 88.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Louisiana vary by metro area.

Is Lafayette, LA safe? +

Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5413.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Lafayette, LA? +

A typical home in Lafayette is worth $251,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lafayette? +

The average annual temperature in Lafayette runs 67.8°F, 66.8 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.